The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-04-09
CASTLE ETTRICK.
An Old Soldiers Love
Story.
ICONTECED.J

A fortnight went by in fruitless efforts.
At last came the moment to which Percy
had been looking forward with sick dread
the moment when his leave was up. Twice
it had been prolonged, and he knew now
that he must either give Up the army 6lto-
gether or return to his regiment. His first
idea was to take the former course, but the
Colonel and Veronica, who was strangely
old and motherly in her ways with him,
pointed out to him how foolish this would
be.
when we hear Of her-and we shall be
certain to do So sooner or later" said YER
onica, I'VE will let you know at once. You
know she should be the first to regret it If
you gave up your career for her.
Il know it, know it" answered Percy;
"but how l shall manage to live, go about
my ordinary duties, and that kind of thing,
1 can't conceive"
ITO have to go about your duties will be
Just the best thing in the world for you,
my dear fellow" said the Colonel, with G
smile.
And SO it proved, for when Percy
found himself among his friends again,
and gong about the little round of
tasks which his position demanded of
him, he recovered himself little. Not
that he was what he had been. His gay
heartedness, and that pleasant assurance
in his own power to please, that had made
him so delightful companion, had gone.
He was much quieter, far more thoughtful,
and his consideration for others, especially
for the women, of any rank, whom he came
across, was touching to witness. There
were moments for he still paid occasional
visits to Ettrick, though it always gave him
pain to go there) when it made his mother
weep to watch him. Not once, but thou
sand times, she blamed herself for ever
having allowed Lefty to leave her.
4 year passed away, and no news of the
wanderer came. Colonel Lyndon and
Veronica, who had never ceased to search
for her-their variously worded advertise
ments were well known, by this time, to
newspaper readess-still believed that they
would hear of her some day. But Percy
made up his mind that she was dead. Il
don't think she could have held out so
long" he said TO his mother.
In the absence of other distractions he
had given his mind with increasing ardor
to his profession. He had been studying
for the Staff College, and in the course of
that year he passed his examination bril-
Iantly.
Lady Flora Winstanley and her sister,
Lady GIenaveril had some interest il high
quarters. 1t was partly due to this, and
partly to his fine soldierly qualities, that in
the autumn of the year that followed Let
tvs disappearance-itw was the year made
memorable by the opening of the second
Afghan war-he was given staff appoint
ment in the magnificent little army that Sir
Frederick Roberts held ready to march into
Afghanistan, should the Viceroys final re-
monstrance with Shere Ali fail of its eff
feet.
Percy was soldier to the very backbone,
full of patriotic ardor, and he lost no time
in preparations or farewells. AS fast as
steam and rail could carry him he hurried
out to India, and, feeling happy for the
first time since the blow which struck him
to the heart had fallen, reported himself to
his 1pw phiaf